Pentagon orders annual testosterone tests for troops 30 and older
Why it matters: Doctors told Reuters broad screening could lead to unnecessary hormone treatment, including infertility risks.
The Pentagon will require annual testosterone-deficiency screening for active-duty and reserve service members age 30 and older during their Periodic Health Assessments, under a new policy pushed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Troops under 30 can request the test voluntarily, and those found to have low levels may be offered voluntary hormone replacement therapy. Hegseth cast the move as a way to improve readiness and long-term health. But several men’s health specialists told Reuters they saw little evidence that screening all troops over 30 would improve combat performance, and warned that inappropriate prescribing could cause overtreatment and side effects, including infertility.